Median rent is 3% lower in Spokane ($1,215/mo vs $1,256/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chattanooga, where the median home runs $283,200 versus $363,500. Households earn more in Spokane ($70,064 vs $64,523 a year). Taken together, Chattanooga is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.3 against 92.4 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Spokane, WA.
City A
Chattanooga, TN
City B
Spokane, WA
How much would you need to earn in Spokane, WA to maintain your standard of living from Chattanooga, TN?
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$75,024
You'd need $24 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chattanooga
Tennessee
Spokane
Washington
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,256/mo in Chattanooga and $1,215/mo in Spokane. Home buyers face a steeper market in Spokane: the median home is $363,500 versus $283,200 in Chattanooga — 22% more expensive.
Metric
Chattanooga
Spokane
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chattanooga
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Spokane if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,064/yr).
Chattanooga is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.3 versus 92.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chattanooga.
Median rent is $1,256/mo in Chattanooga, TN and $1,215/mo in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 3%.
Median household income is $64,523 in Chattanooga, TN and $70,064 in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Spokane, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chattanooga, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,031 in Spokane, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
